Actual Window Manager vs AquaSnap (2026): which should you pick?

Pick Actual Window Manager if

• Fits if you run several monitors on Windows
• Works for people who want a taskbar on each screen

Look elsewhere if

• Skip it if you want a free tool, as there is no free tier past the 60-day trial
• Pricey if you only need one piece, since the vendor also sells those as separate products
• Watch out: the licence includes only one year of free updates
• Not for you if you use a Mac, Linux or Windows on ARM64

Pick AquaSnap if

• Fits if you use Windows and want to snap windows into layouts
• Works for a personal computer, where the freeware edition is allowed

Look elsewhere if

• Not for you if you're on a Mac or Linux, as it's Windows only
• Pricey if you need it for work and buy one license, at $29 against $16 in the middle
• Tight if you want freeware at work, because that edition is personal use only
• Watch out: a site license is $899

Actual Window Manager

• Windows only; the vendor says ARM64 is not supported.
• The license includes 1 year of free updates; the order page lists the subscription as free for that year only.
• The suite is broad, and the vendor also sells its pieces, such as Actual Multiple Monitors, as separate products.
• There is no free tier; use beyond the 60-day trial needs a license.

AquaSnap

• Windows only (Windows 7 through 11).
• The free edition is for personal use; work use needs a Professional license.
• The vendor offers a 90-day money-back guarantee on paid licenses.

Actual Window Manager

Taskbar on every monitor

Adds a full taskbar to each display, plus separate wallpapers and screen savers for each monitor.

Virtual desktops

Unlimited additional desktops, with Classic and Independent modes for multiple monitors.

Per-window rules

Sets startup mode, position and priority for individual windows, and can make a window ignore deactivation.

Extra title buttons

Adds buttons such as minimize to tray, move to the next monitor, always on top and resize.

Desktop Divider

Splits a monitor or the whole desktop into tiles that maximized windows fill, with custom layouts that can be switched on the fly.

Desktop mirroring

Shows a window, a monitor or a custom part of the desktop in a separate window on another monitor.

AquaSnap

Window docking

Drag a window to a side or corner of the screen and it resizes to half or a quarter of the screen.

Tiling

With two windows side by side, resizing one while holding Ctrl resizes the other as well.

Snapping and stretching

Windows snap to each other like magnets, and double-clicking an edge stretches a window in one direction.

Move windows together

Hold Ctrl while moving one window and the group of adjacent windows follows.

Shake for transparent, always-on-top

Shaking a window makes it transparent and keeps it on top; shaking again restores it.

Keyboard and mouse shortcuts

Every feature has customizable keyboard shortcuts, and window frame areas can be given extra mouse actions.

Actual Window Manager

• Single license$59.95

  one-time, per copy

  Includes a 1-year free updates subscription and a 30-day money-back guarantee; volume discounts start at 2 copies (10% off).

AquaSnap

• Personal$0

  Freeware for personal use only; the pricing page lists the same features as the paid editions.

• Professional, Standard License$29

  per license (1 computer)

  For professional use on one computer. Volume pricing runs from $21.75 each for 2 licenses down to $18 each for 10 or more.

• Professional, Site License$899

  per site

  One license covering a site; the page says 1 license per site.

Actual Window Manager

No public discounts listed.

AquaSnap

• Other savings

  Volume discounts on Professional licenses

  The pricing page lists 25% off for 2 licenses, up to 38% off for 10 or more.